Thursday, January 5, 2012

Terry Pluto is Wrong AGAIN!!

 In response to Terry Pluto's inaccurate article on :

Cleveland Browns' plan to improve probably not a good fit for Robert Griffin III: 

 Terry makes the false assumption that because RG3 takes the vast majority of his snaps from the shotgun that he is incapable of of taking snaps from Center.  This is far from the truth and if you watch any games for any length of time you will see him take snaps from center and does it effortlessly.  In fact, if you go to youtube, you will be able to see that RG3 takes his snaps from Center and doesn't miss a beat in doing what his asked of him.   To further show how misinformed Terry Pluto is on his analysis Bleacher Report writer in his analysis of RG3 gives him an A for footwork and in doing so says the following "However, Griffin also drops back from under center, often seeing three- and five-step drops, which are seen throughout the NFL.  This contradicts the erroneous, misinformed supposition by Pluto.

 Another contradictory comment by Pluto is one in which he says that:Take the biggest impact offensive player at No. 4. Look elsewhere for a quarterback. To this what happened to building a team around a Quarterback? As I mentioned before, I 99% of the league believes that in order to win you  must have a good/great QB.  In listening to the Presser today and the one given by Shurmur the Browns have very strong doubts about the abilities of one Colt McCoy.  In saying that they need to find a QB because according to Mike Holmgren, you build a team around a QB and what Pluto doesn't mention in his article is the fact that the Browns put to rest any talk that RG3 is to short by referencing Aaron Rogers and going on to say that a 6'2" QB can be successful in the offense(referencing RG3).  


To put this argument to rest.  Go on ESPN and see the comments of one Mel Kiper.  He points out that RG3 can play in any offense.


I will put links of the scouting report of RG3 and the comments of Mel Kiper on my link so you can have it and refute the misinformation given by Pluto.  Oh by the way, Pluto doesn't mention that RG3 played in the same offense of Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy, did they have problems taking snaps from Center??  I rest my case!!!!!

RG3 scouting report:http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1006396-2012-nfl-draft-full-scouting-breakdown-and-analysis-for-robert-griffin-iii

Kiper Article:http://search.espn.go.com/kiper-on-rg3/

http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7419742/robert-griffin-iii-not-andrew-luck-right-pick-indianapolis-colts

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Terry Pluto's article on Browns...

In response to the Terry Pluto Article on the Browns :

I find it interesting how the media has so soon forgotten about Brandon Jackson who by all accounts looked as though he was going to be a very productive third down back who is able to not only run the ball under certain situations but be a very productive pass catcher as well.  His unfortunate injury in the Preseason has hurt the Browns because it would have given them another fast person to be able to get the ball to and possible big playes.  At the same time, the media and fans have over estimated the play of one Chris Ogbonnaya.  Ogbonnaya is one of those players who does some things in a decent way but nothing special in any one of them.  At his position he is a jack of all trades and a master of none.  He is clearly one of those players that could make the team as a 4th back/ST's player but, he would definitely have to earn it.  He did come and make a couple of plays but, to a region and team that is starved of playmakers so, we have to temper our thoughts about him.


Terry Pluto in his article mentions the Browns needing two new WR's,  I think one really good one out of the list of Steve Johnson, Dwayne Bowe(both of whom could very well be franchised), DeSean Jackson( I don't agree with how he conducted himself with the contract situation but, he does have a point in wanting to get paid and feeling overlooked), Vincent Jackson, Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon to name a few.  With the addition of one of these WR's the Browns would be able to put Greg Little as the #2 WR and Mohammed Massaquoi as the #3 WR then fill in with people Evan Moore, Carlton Mitchell and Jordan Norwood.  I find it counter productive to get yet another rookie WR and then find out you have others who are just as good, evaluating them to find out which one's to keep(which could lead to keeping the wrong one- Ask the San Diego Chargers) and then trying to find playing time for the one's you do decide to keep.



One thing that wasn't mentioned by Pluto in his article is the how poor QB Play has hurt the offense.  Yes the dinks and dunks that we have come so familiar with is still there and under a new regime.  Mangini nor Shurmur will allow to throw the ball deep.  Is this just a coincidence or is it because they don't trust the fact that he has the arm strength or physical talent to be able to get the ball downfield on a regular basis??   In knowing this defenses are able to condense the defense within a certain part of the field making it much easier to defend.  Why this goes unexplained by the media and fans I have no idea but, it should and once again the media has done the region a tremendous disservice.   Pluto, correctly mentioned that this offense was SUPPOSE perfect for the skills of Colt McCoy and it simply hasn't happened, McCoy isn't accurate in the short passing game, refuses to throw across the middle, and doesn't have the arm to throw deep.  Then you have that segment of people who make excuse after excuse for him.  Time to make a change at QB.



Enter the Browns' top five pick(very possible#3 selection in the draft).  With the desperate need at QB, the Browns will more than likely have the opportunity to draft one Robert Griffin III, who is the Best QB prospect I've ever scouted. In a previous blog I mentioned all the excuses people come up with in why not to draft him so, I won't go into those now but, I would like to mention some of the things that Terry Pluto mentioned. 

Pluto erroneously mentions that RG3 does everything from the shotgun.  This isn't true at all.  The vast majority of the snaps are indeed from the shotgun but, this isn't to say that RG3 cannot take snaps from under because he has shown that he can indeed do it and has done it with ease.  People also forget that RG3 came out of the same spread offense that Sam Bradford came out of and Landry Jones plays in. Out of curiosity where were the people to make these observations when it was known that the Browns attempted to trade up to get Bradford ???  Pluto mentions that if it the Browns did draft RG3 then they would have to make major changes to their offense.  I would like to know why would they have to make major changes ?? RG3 routinely throws short passes, intermediate, long outs and definitely downfield.  This would signal to me that the RG3 would be perfect for this offense because it would give the Browns the added dimension of being able to stretch the field.  Notice I haven't mentioned that he is a terrific athlete that would be another dimension.  Not to be labor the point but, would the Browns have had to change the offense dramatically if they had gotten Bradford???

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Week 17 picks...

DET @ GB:  GB

TEN @ HOU: HOU

IND @ JAX: JAX

NYJ @ MIA: NYJ

CHI @ MIN: MIN

BUF @ NE: NE

WAS @ PHI: PHI

TB @ ATL: ATL

BAL @ CIN: BAL

PIT @ CLE: PIT

KC @ DEN: DEN

OAK @ SD: OAK

DAL @ NYG:  NYG

SF @ STL: SF

SEA @ ARI: ARI

Monday, December 26, 2011

Browns fans and media are a hypocritical and racists!!!

In listening to sports talk in Cleveland one can't help but, to highlight and point out the contradictions of the Cleveland fans and media in how to build the Browns back up so, they can eventually become a championship team.  I've listened long enough to the point where I need to point out these contradictions and I do go with the theory that Cleveland fans AND media don't want to see a Black QB with the Browns!!!

Contradiction#1

You build a team around the QB:  I don't subscribe to this theory because I have seen it work both ways, however, most GM's in the NFL would say this is how you build a team.  With the unfair rules that clearly favor the offense and the NFL wanting to generate more revenue by getting more high scoring games and making the game more exciting to the average fan, getting offensive players and namely a QB is the way to go.

Carmen Policy who was the CEO of the Browns in 99' let it be known from day one that you build a team a round a  QB.  SUPPOSEDLY,  the QB is the most important person in the Franchise and that he was going to indeed keep up with conventional wisdom and choose a QB with the first pick in the draft.  During the process Chris Palmer was hired because of his experience in picking out , developing and handling QB's.  As the draft got closer it was obvious that the Browns had the choice of clearly the better player in Ricky Williams and and QB's Akili Smith and Tim Couch.  Palmer wanted Akili Smith but, was overruled by Policy and the Lerner because of...   Well, they could never give us a reason why they overruled him.

To those that weren't fooled such as BSK, Rich Passon and myself we knew that it had everything to do with Tim Couch being white and Smith being black and that marketing toward the fan base played a role in why Tim Couch was selected.  Tim Couch went on to have a very bad career exhibiting zero arm strength and very mediocre skills as I predicted throughout the entire process(BTW, Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper were in that draft and weren't considered).

Fast forward to 11':  Clearly anyone that knows anything about football can clearly see that the Browns need a QB.  Colt McCoy can't get the job done.  He can only throw two yard dink and dunks and simply doesn't possess the physical skills to be able to handle the position going forward.   The Browns by the end of Sunday could very well have the 3rd pick in the 12' draft coming up.

Witht the third pick in the draft it's a good chance that Robert Griffin III will be there, however, you have a large segment of fans and media who say that the Browns should wait and fill other needs before filling the QB position.    WAIT!!!  Yes, these were the same fans who twelve years ago , WITH AN EXPANSION TEAM said that the Browns should build a team around a QB and that taking a RB that high will not improve the team because a RB will not make it past five years because of the beating he will take behind a porous OL.

I ask these fans and media people which one is it?? Do you build a team around a QB or don't you ??  This wreaks of a double standard especially when you consider the fact that the Browns have an established team  with pieces in place as opposed to an expansion team and considering how desperate the team  and city is for a Franchise QB.  Robert Griffin III is the best QB prospect I've ever scouted in terms of the total package and the fans and media want to pass on this opportunity, WOW!!!


Contradiction #2:

 Browns have to many holes to fill:  Expanding on the theory that you build a team around a QB.  The fans and media say the Browns have other holes to fill and should concentrate on filling them, however, these are the same fans and media people who ask if the Browns should take the few precious resources the have to get the pieces they need and try to get Andrew Luck!!! 

I ask if you have some many needs and need all your resources then why would you use all those resources to get one guy who IMHO, is more polished at this point but, long term won't be as good??!!!!  It absolutely "ZERO" sense considering the holes on your team, the strong possibility that you could get a better player, and the asking price that it will take to get this player(last reported if Indy get the pick will be a minimum of six first round picks).   Do you, or don't have the resources and how much better is Luck over Griffin.  None in my opinion but, it points to a contradiction of how the people use excuses to push their agendas.


Contradiciton #3:

RG3 played in a conference that didn't play defense:  This is true but, people forget that Mike Holmgren tried desperately to get up to #1 in the 10' draft to get Sam Bradford.  Where did Sam Bradford come from ??  You got it:  the same exact conference that RG3 is coming from.  Where was the media and fans to raise objection to Holmgren trying to get Bradford??  I listen alot to Cleveland Sports talk and didn't hear ONE OBJECTION TO Mike Holmgren trying to get Bradford and not one saying that he played in a conference that played no defense.


Oh yeah BTW, where are these same individuals when they talk about Andrew Luck not playing in conference that doesn't play defense??  Any given Saturday the Pac 10 is known to have scores well within the 40's and 50's!!!  This is yet another contradiction by the fans and media.



Contradiction #4:

We need a QB that played in a pro style offense:  Again on the Sam Bradford Comparison:  Not only did Sam Bradford play in the same conference as RG3 but, he played in the same style offense of RG3.  Why weren't these concerns brought up when Mike Holmgren tried to get Bradford in10'??  Why is this being Brought up now??  Again, it shows that the media and fans have personal agendas in their contradictions of what they want and don't want.

In my opinion, this shows that Cleveland is a very hypocritical region with bigots and racists abound who simply don't want to see a Black QB running the show in this region.  It shows that the region still hasn't grown up and doesn't deserve a winner until they not only acknowledge these things but, take meaningful steps to correct these shortcomings and until they do they will find it increasingly to get start athletes to get them out of the funk of losing and ignorance that so much plagues the region!!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

What Browns should do in the offseason 3.0

People always ask the questions what should the Browns do this offseason to get people excited again,  I've decided to give some details on what I would do if I were the Browns, with a realistic approach to get the Browns deep within the playoffs next year.

Resign:

Peyton Hillis and D'Qwell Jackson, Phil Dawson and Usama Young:


Analysis:

Hillis will give the Browns that bruising type back that is needed to establish the running game especially in the later parts of the year and considering that Montario Hardesty can't be counted on because of Injuries.  Jackson will give the Browns some stability at the LB position and is coming off a very solid season with a bunch of tackles.  Young has played well at times and hasn't played well at other times but, would give the Browns time to groom someone to eventually take over.

Free Agency:

DeSean Jackson

Rocky McIntosh

Demetrius Bell

Paul Soliai

Analysis:

DeSean Jackson is a player that can give the Browns both a threat via the long ball and in the punt return game as well.  He would team up beautifully with the Greg Little and Momass to give, I believe a very solid WR unit.

Rocky McIntosh is a veryathletic, solid, young veteran LB that will give the Browns speed at that position and will allow them to groom someone younger without having to force them to start right away.

Demetrius Bell:  would give the Browns a young, athletic RT that would significantly upgrade that position in terms of run blocking and would look to get him better in terms of pass blocking.

Paul Soliai:  Soliai, would give the Browns a tough, hard nosed run stuffer to work in a awesome tandem with Rubin, Taylor and  Paxson. His presence would give the Browns much needed depth along the DL.




Draft:

round one: Robert Grffin III, QB Baylor

round one: Andre Branch, DE Clemson

round two:  Chase Minnifield,  CB Virginia

round three: Travis Lewis, LB Oklahoma

round four:  Nate Potter, OT Boise State

round four:  Brandon Joiner,  DE Arkansas State

round five:  George Iloka, S Boise State

round six: Curnelius Arunick, ILB Tulsa



Analysis:

RG3:  Big time Talent, can make all passes with touch and velocity.  Is as accurate as anyone in the draft and extremely mobile.  Does need to polish up in few areas and might not be ready to take over the very first game of the preseason but, will be clearly the best QB by the end of camp.

Andre Branch.  Has the chance to be that explosive pass rusher the Browns so desperately need.  He is very athletic and can run.  He would be counted on to give the Browns big production from day one.  He does lack consistency at times but, that can be over come.

Chase Minnifield:  This pick had nothing to do with the fact that his father is a legend with the Browns but, because this guy can flat out play.  I was torn between Minnifield and Janoris Jenkins and flipped a coin to get Minnifield and because he's an inch taller.  The kid can play and plus he has terrific Blood lines.   He will be counted on heavily to give the Browns good production from day one.


 Travis Lewis:  With the addition of Rocky McIntosh, Lewis would be able to concentrate on Special Teams and then ease his way into the position. He is fast and athletic but, sometimes lacks the consistency in production that is needed.  He would do well to sit for a year or two to get ready to take over for McIntosh or Gocong.


Nate Potter:  A good, athletic big man that hasn't completely filled out and won't be asked to come in a play right away.  This will be good for all parties because he will have time to work on strength and learn how to play at this level.  The tools are in place but, sitting him for a year and maybe two won't hurt at all.

Brandon  Joiner:  Joiner is an exciting athletic prospect that would be worked in gradually as strictly a rotation DE.  Substituting with Andre Branch, Sheard and Marcus Bernard.  With the Addition of Paul Soliai it will give the Browns a legit eight deep to keep the DL fresh.

George Iloka:  Iloka is a tall, hard hitting S from Boise State. He is fast and plays well is space.  He does struggle at times in coverage but, that can be overcome with coaching because this guy definitely has the ability to cover with his speed.


Cornelius Arnick:  Is a tough, fairly athletic inside linebacker who would concentrate on special teams but, provide much needed depth at the linebacker position

Week 16 picks...

HOU @ IND:  HOU

CLE @ BAL: BAL

DEN @ BUF: DEN

TB @ CAR: CAR

ARI @ CIN:  ARI

OAK @ KC: OAK

MIA @ NE: NE

NYJ @NYG:  NYG

STL @PIT: PITT

JAC @TEN: TEN

MIN @ WAS:WAS

SD @ DET: DET

DAL @ PHI: PHI

SF @ SEA: SEA

CHI @ GB: GB

ATL @ NO:  NO

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Week 15 picks

JAC @ ATL:  ATL

DAL @ TB:  TB

MIA @ BUF:  MIA

SEA@CHI:  SEA

CAR @ HOU:  HOU

TEN @ IND:  TEN

GB @ KC:  GB

NO @ MIN:  NO

WAS @ NYG:  WAS

CIN @ STL:  CIN

DET @ OAK:  OAK

BAL @ SD:  BAL

PIT @ SF:  PIT

CLE @ AZ:  AZ

NE @ DEN:  NE

NYJ @ PHI:  PHI